Sekai no Chushin de, ai wo Sakebu Comparison Review

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 22 Jul 2005, 01:15

HK (Panasia) Region 3

JPN (Toho) Region 2

The HK disc is a direct port of Toho's DVD. They have messed up in the subs department though, although I've sat through worse cases (English HOH on My Sassy Girl for example). It also has pixilation, but this is not too severe. Full grabs and more can be obtained below:

Click here for the comparison review.

Isao Yukisada paints a sombre masterpiece full of artistry and melancholy. The collision of past and present is highlighted in a tragic tale of pure love, creating one of the most overwhelming dramas of recent years. Sekai no Chushin de, ai wo Sakebu is another fine export from Japan and a tremendous accomplishment for a rising director.

The Japanese DVD is clearly the more attractive package, especially in the subtitles department. However, the price is remarkably high for a set with supplementary materials that are difficult to appreciate. If only the ugly dual subtitles were not on the HK disc, it would easily make an acceptable substitute. The majority of viewers should be able to tolerate this issue eventually, but the DVD to place money on would be Toho’s release.

I really hope that more people manage to see this movie. I'm certainly going to check out more Isao Yukisada stuff, for sure. If you have a massive pile of DVDs to watch, put it to one side and watch Sekai no Chushin de instead... chances are that it'll be better than anything you were going to watch.

Just kidding, I'm sure you guys have plenty of great movies left to watch. I hope you can eventually check out this title sometime.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 23 Jul 2005, 16:23

Its on my list.
Thanks for costing me another $50, Bisc

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 23 Jul 2005, 16:46

Halt man, for I have words.

Amazon.jp are selling the ultimate 3 disc limited edition at a 70% discount. It is now so cheap that you won't get stung by customs.

I own two DVDs of this movie. I am now about to own the third (and best) edition. The limited edition looks awesome at that price.

Click

Images of the different releases

What do you think?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 23 Jul 2005, 19:47

Holy crap, that's an awesome price for that LE. Just the reg edition is like 3900 on cdjapan. I think i'll be getting that.

Thanks!

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 23 Jul 2005, 19:47

and that was me

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 23 Jul 2005, 20:48

woah.. there is also a very sexy Korean edition from EnterOne, avalable from YesAsia for $18. I just might have to grab one of those.

Here

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 23 Jul 2005, 22:19

As well as the Japanese DVD? What makes the Japanese DVD so Ultimate?

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 23 Jul 2005, 22:52

oh no, I meant instead of the Japanese one. Typically i try to avoid Japanese DVDs because of their ridiculous prices.

I get them only if...
-Its the only way to get the film in its original, unaltered form.
-Its vastly superior in the A/V department to any other version.
-Or the packaging is so cool that i absolutly MUST have it.

Personally i love Korean dvd's. A/V and subtitle quality are usually top notch, and cool packaging also. 8/10 times i'll go with a Korean dvd of a Japanese film.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 23 Jul 2005, 23:18

The Japanese ultimate one has 3 discs... Korean has 2.

plus it reportedly has better A/V quality than the Korean.

Out of JPN, HK and Korean versions of Sekai no Chushin de... Korean is said to be the worst... supposedly.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 23 Jul 2005, 23:38

BiscLimpkit wrote:Out of JPN, HK and Korean versions of Sekai no Chushin de... Korean is said to be the worst... supposedly.

Do you by any chance have a link to the article that compares the two?
I can't seem to find one.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 24 Jul 2005, 01:30

Try this link:

http://www.sheng.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/sekai.html

I don't think the above comaprison is fair, as it was obtained from two different softwares.

Also this guy said something on the comments after my review:

There's also a Korean release available which I and someone else briefly compared elsewhere, and the HK release seemed to look slightly better than that one (although the Korean disc has stand-alone English subtitles).

Actually TBH, I think the Korean version is fine. But I'm after the extra disc + special packaging of the JPN release.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 24 Jul 2005, 02:37

BiscLimpkit wrote:The Japanese ultimate one has 3 discs... Korean has 2.

Fat lot of good they are if none of the discs are subtitled!

In this case I'd get the Korean or Japanese DVD whichever is cheaper. Only disc 1 will ever go into my DVD player (bar a few minutes maybe).

ReconFive wrote:Personally i love Korean dvd's. A/V and subtitle quality are usually top notch, and cool packaging also. 8/10 times i'll go with a Korean dvd of a Japanese film.

Personally I love HK DVDs. A/V and subtitle quality are usually top notch (now a days), and cheap as chips pricing.

No cool packaging but I don't buy DVDs for the outer shell NOR do I like paying extra for a coaster I could buy for 50p from the likes of SVP.co.uk (AKA the second disc)

I get them (Korean) only if...

-Its the only way to get the film in its original, unaltered form.
-Its vastly superior in the A/V department to any other version.
-Or the Korean DVD is similar price to the HK DVD.

I never buy Japanese DVDs and choose to wait for the inevitable cheaper HK (or Korean) DVD.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 24 Jul 2005, 03:33

bradavon wrote:Personally I love HK DVDs. A/V and subtitle quality are usually top notch (now a days)

I'm affraid i have to disagree with you on that in regards to HK dvd's of non-HK films. HK dvd's often suffer from ghosting, pixelation, or some other extreamly annoying image artifact that takes all the enjoyment out of the movie, for me. Poor subtitles also seem to be a common issue.

Keep in mind that my opinion on HK dvd's is mostly based on reviews and screenshots, since i almost never buy HK discs of non-HK movies.

This is not always the case though, especially on HK films. For example, the HK Kung Fu Hustle dvd was excellent (except for how they overlap the subtitles with the 2:35:1 widescreen bar, i hate that).

bradavon wrote:No cool packaging but I don't buy DVDs for the outer shell NOR do I like paying extra for a coaster I could buy for 50p from the likes of SVP.co.uk (AKA the second disc)

I can deffinetly understand that, but collecting dvd's has been a hobby of mine for a long time, and i like to own the SE/LE of a movie simply for collectible purposes. (AV quality is 1st priority though)

but aside from that..
In regards to Asian films, i would deffinetly pay the extra money not to have to put up with crappy HK discs.

Bisc, thanks for the info. Knowing me I will probably give in to the damn Japanese LE (at that price), but with shipping included its still significantly more then the Korean edition. I'll give it some thought.

bradavon · Post by **bradavon** » 24 Jul 2005, 03:48

ReconFive wrote:Poor subtitles also seem to be a common issue.

Clearly this film is a bad example but generally speaking you reckon they have bad subs? For the most part HK DVDs have excellent English subs and have had for some time now.

I won't get into the PQ issues as it's usually down to personal preference.

ReconFive wrote:except for how they overlap the subtitles with the 2:35:1 widescreen bar, i hate that

You'd prefer they put the subs completely in the picture?

Personally I prefer subs to be in the black bar at the bottom on anamorphic DVDs.

bradavon wrote:I can deffinetly understand that, but collecting dvd's has been a hobby of mine for a long time

Me too. I just prefer saving money on what to me is just a gimmick (i.e - the packaging) and a second disc of extras I can't watch, so why pay for.

Fair enough though I've been tempted by many LE's and even own a few.

ReconFive wrote:Bisc, thanks for the info. Knowing me I will probably give in to the damn Japanese LE (at that price), but with shipping included its still significantly more then the Korean edition. I'll give it some thought.

How much more? (any currency you like).

Between those two I'd get the Korean DVD then. I'm sure both it and the Japanese DVD will be tops AV and subs wise.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 24 Jul 2005, 04:11

bradavon wrote:Clearly this film is a bad example but generally speaking you reckon they have bad subs? For the most part HK DVDs have excellent English subs and have had for some time now.

Maybe it was alittle harsh to say that its a common issue, but from what i've seen alot of the HK disc's subs are more engrish then english. But then again so are some Korean discs. Il Mare comes to mind.

bradavon wrote:You'd prefer they put the subs completely in the picture? Personally I prefer subs to be in the black bar at the bottom on anamorphic DVDs.

I know that sounds really strange but i've always found it distracting having the subs overlap the black bar. That's just one of my crazy things, your deffinetly in the majority on that.

bradavon wrote:Me too. I just prefer saving money on what to me is just a gimmick (i.e - the packaging) and a second disc of extras I can't watch, so why pay for.

Again, i can understand your viewpoint on that but i really don't see cool packaging as a gimmick. I just think its just fun to have a unique, nice looking case to house a movie you like. As i said its mainly just collectible purposes with me...but generally speaking the LEs and SEs have the best AV quality also.

bradavon wrote:How much more? (any currency you like).

it will cost me about $45 with shipping for the Japanese LE, and about $25 for the Korean edition, which still has a nice looking box (but not as nice at the JPN)

Also keep in mind that the JPN LE is normally about ￥8000 w/o shipping.

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 24 Jul 2005, 11:00

Yeah the JPN set is around a tenner more expensive than the Korean one.

I never give in to nice looking packaging but the price reduction is too big to ignore. It means I can pass on my current discs to someone who has yet to watch the movie - I'd like them to enjoy this also.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » 11 Aug 2005, 10:57

Crap, I waited too long and missed the sale..lol
Oh well, I guess the Korean version will have to do

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 11 Aug 2005, 10:58

:Sigh: and that was me

BiscLimpkit · Post by **BiscLimpkit** » 11 Aug 2005, 13:01

Man no wonder you have such a low number of posts.

I have the Japanese Limited Edition and it is massive. By far, the nicest looking DVD sitting on my shelf. But I'm sure you've got more impressive items.

ReconFive · Post by **ReconFive** » 11 Aug 2005, 17:10

Ohh nice, post a picture!!